σπεῖρα (speira)
speira
band
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun speira refers to a Roman military cohort, a unit of roughly six hundred soldiers. Derived from Latin, the word originally described anything wound into a coil or spiral, reflecting how these troops were organized as a distinct band or company within the larger legion. In the New Testament, it appears seven times, primarily in the Gospels and Acts, to describe the armed forces present during Jesus’ arrest and trial.
Its usage highlights the overwhelming power of the state against an individual. When John records that a full speira, along with officers and temple guards, came to seize Jesus (John 18:3), it underscores the disproportionate force deployed. Similarly, Matthew notes that soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium, where the entire cohort gathered around him (Matthew 27:27). The term emphasizes not just a small patrol, but a significant, organized detachment of imperial authority.
Translators typically render speira as "cohort" or "band of soldiers." This choice preserves the specific military structure implied by the Greek, distinguishing it from smaller groups like detachments or squads. The word serves as a reminder of the political and military context surrounding the crucifixion, where Roman power was visibly present to ensure order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word speira refers to a Roman military cohort, a substantial unit of roughly six hundred soldiers. While it literally means a band or coil, in the New Testament it describes the organized force that surrounded Jesus during His arrest and trial. This imagery highlights the overwhelming power of the state standing against one individual.
When John records that a full speira came to seize Jesus (John 18:3), it underscores the disproportionate force deployed. Yet, this display of imperial strength did not prevent God’s plan from unfolding. The presence of such a large detachment reminds us that even in moments of intense pressure and fear, God remains sovereign over earthly powers.
For your faith, this word offers comfort rather than intimidation. It shows that no amount of political or military opposition can thwart the purposes of Christ. You can trust that the same God who held the Roman cohort in check is holding your life in His hands today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cohort3×
- the cohort1×
- of the cohort1×
- cohort,1×
- [the] Cohort1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σπείρης3×
- σπεῖραν2×
- σπεῖραν,1×
- σπεῖρα1×
Key Verses
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John 18:3
Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
This verse specifies that a full detachment accompanied temple officers, emphasizing the excessive force used to arrest Jesus.
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Matthew 27:27
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.
Here the entire garrison gathers in the Praetorium, showing the collective scrutiny and mockery Jesus faced from Roman troops.
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Acts 10:1
Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
This reference to the Italian Regiment introduces Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, linking the military structure to the spread of the Gospel beyond Judaism.